Splice-bar.



F. POWELL.-

SPLICE BAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1911.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK POWELL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SPLICE-BAR.

the same time afford a resiliency at the joint of the rails, whereby it will give sufficiently when cars pass thereover, thus preventing the pounding of the car wheels, and at the same time obviating the jarring of such cars.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a rail splice, in which the abutting ends of rails may be held so that the same will present a flush joint at the ball or tread portions thereof, and at the same time preventing the sagging of one rail without the other, the splice being adapted to afford more or less resiliency to the rail ends, and preventing undue separation thereof longitudinally or the lateral displacement of the same. a

A further object of the invention is the provision of a rail splice of the character described which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail joint, showing the splice applied thereto, constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the splice with one side flange broken away. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the splice.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 5-4 designate the meeting ends of railway Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 5, 1911. Serial No. 625,194.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

tion, each being provided with a ball or tread 6, web 7, and a base 8, as usual.

The rail chair or splice comprises a single piece of resilient metal, wrought iron or steel being fpreferable for the purpose. It conslsts 0 a bottom 9, upon which the bases 8 of the rails are seated, and inset side wings or flanges 10, the same being inset to overlap the bases 8 of the rails, and also permit their vertical portions to lie against opposite faces of the webs 7 of the said rails. The bottom or base9 is concaved on its underside from end to end, and convex on the upper side, from end to end, thereby presenting a slight arch 11 from end to end, so that the crown of the arch will be immediately under the joint of the rails, and the purpose for arching the bottom or base is to give a flexing support for the said rails, so that as a car passes over the joint, it will yield to a limited degree, thereby preventing jars or jolts 0rdinarily incident to rail -joints, and at the same time pounding of the wheels. The flanges 10 are also arched on their top edges so that when a rail is inserted in one end of the chair the inset portion of the said flanges will come in contact with the upper surface of the base of the rail and at the same time the arched tops of the flanges will engage the tread of the rail, thus causing a secure wedging or binding action therefor.

Formed on the upper surface or convexed face of the bottom or base 9 are spaced parallel longitudinally disposed projecting ribs 12, the ends of which are beveled, as at 13, and upon these ribs engage the basesof the rails -55, the ribs being designed to strengthen the bottom or base of the splice, and at the same time serve as bearings for the rail when engaged in the splice. v

Passed through the side flanges and the webs of the rails are the usual nut and bolt fastenings 14 for uniting the splice and rails to ether.

Vhen a car passes over the rail joint with the bar set, the vertical sides of the bar, will, on account of the resiliency of the bar at the rail joint, have a tendency to press against the web of the rails, instead of outward against the nuts, thereby saving much labor used in tightening nuts on bolts passed through the bar and rail ends.

VVhatis claimed is: 1. A railway splice comprising a plate rails of the ordinary well-known const-rucl bent to provide an upwardly arched base and inset u Wardly extending parallel flanges, said tanges being arched on their upper edges and projecting ribs arranged in spaced parallel relation to each other and rising from the inner face of said base.

2. A railway splice comprising a plate bent to provide an upwardly arched base and inset upwardly extending parallel flanges said flanges being arched on their upper edges and means extending longi- 10 tudinally of the upper surface of said base for spacing the rail therefrom.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK POYVELL. Vitnesses JAMES F. POWELL, VVILLIAM H. POWELL. 

